What could go wrong with that scenario? Apparently, quite a lot.
Authorities in Arkansas say an attempt to deal with snakes in an RV ended with two destroyed campers, damage to three other vehicles, and felony charges after a fire spread through part of an RV park.
If somebody handed us that setup and asked how the story would end, we’d probably guess “not well.”
We still wouldn’t have guessed this badly.
According to the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened May 17 at Midway RV Park near Midway, Arkansas. Investigators say a 72-year-old camper owner was trying to get rid of snakes when he allegedly used alcohol and a lighter inside his RV.
Authorities said the fire started near a couch. From there, things unraveled in a hurry.
A snake problem becomes everyone’s problem
The resulting fire quickly spread beyond the original rig.
By the time firefighters brought the blaze under control, two campers had been destroyed. Another camper sustained damage, along with a van and a motorcycle parked nearby.
Fortunately, nobody was injured.
According to investigators, the RV park owner woke nearby occupants and helped them evacuate before the fire spread farther. A dog was also safely removed from one of the threatened rigs.
Property damage was estimated at approximately $75,000.
As RVers know, campgrounds can be surprisingly vulnerable once a fire gets started. RVs often sit relatively close together, and many contain large amounts of combustible materials, from upholstery and paneling, to awnings, tires, and outdoor gear.
In this case, authorities say what began as an effort to deal with a snake problem quickly escalated into a multi-vehicle fire.
Readers probably have a few questions
We certainly do.
How many snakes were involved? What kind of snakes were they? Were they actually inside the RV—or in the perpetrator’s imagination? And, perhaps most importantly, how did a plan involving alcohol, a lighter, and a couch ever make it past the brainstorming stage?
Those details were not included in the sheriff’s report.
What is clear is that the snakes eventually became the least remarkable part of the story. The real headline was the chain reaction that followed.
Most campground wildlife encounters end with somebody backing away slowly, calling animal control, or deciding the critter can have that particular corner of the campsite for the afternoon.
This one ended with firefighters, destroyed campers, an estimated $75,000 in damage, and criminal charges.
That’s a pretty expensive way to deal with a snake problem.
Felony charges filed
Following the investigation, authorities arrested the camper owner on charges that include felony reckless burning and criminal mischief.
Whether the snakes were successfully persuaded to leave the RV was not disclosed.
Sources
Baxter County Sheriff’s Office report via KTLO News
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RVT1262b
Here’s your sign !
We had a 4′ snake get inside our MH last year at 2AM. No animal control in that county. The instinct to light the RV on fire was strong. Instead, we used a couple of brooms to push it out a window. That was not a life-changing event, but it was an underwear-changing event.
Someone graduated at the bottom of the gene pool.
Hold my beer!! Sounds like Flori-DUH man!
I can say that because I live in Florida
He probably failed to give them a 30 day notice. I’m pretty sure they didn’t get their damage deposit back.
Catch snakes with glue traps. It sticks too them so you can catch them. Sweep it into trash can and take outside. Then pour vegetables oil on it and it will release itself from trap
I’ve heard that before. Good idea and nothing is harmed.
Wait, what? Two campers destroyed and another camper, a van, and motorcycle were damaged plus whatever landscaping damage was done to the campground itself but only $75,000 in damages?
“Snakes” may be the excuse given by the fellow but “meth lab” sounds more accurate.
Proof that our education system has failed us.